018: The Mystery of Rimuru's Identity

The pale white door was pushed open with difficulty by a hand slick with blood. Souichirou Kuzuki looked up and saw Caster enter, one hand pierced through and left bare, her face pale. She plunged straight into his arms.

"..." Souichirou Kuzuki held her silently, waiting until her breathing steadied before he heard her whisper, "So strong. That guy... was so strong."

"Clearly, he wasn't Lancer, yet he used Lancer's Noble Phantasm again..." Caster drew a deep breath. "That kind of monster can't be defeated through strength alone. We can only rely on strategy—"

"You should rest first." Souichirou Kuzuki calmly laid her on the mat, quickly fetched a medicine box and other supplies, and spoke as if he were utterly indifferent.

But Caster knew this was already an exceptionally rare display of concern from him.

She smiled faintly and raised a hand to stroke the cheek of Souichirou Kuzuki, who was tending to her wounds. Somewhat unwillingly, she said, "Why couldn't I have met you sooner? Damn it."

"Do you know? He already spared me. The instant I was hit, I used transfer magecraft. When I pretended I had been transferred away by Command Seals, I fooled his Master, but that Servant kept staring in the direction where I was hiding—at that moment, I almost thought I wouldn't make it back."

At that, Souichirou Kuzuki's movements finally stiffened slightly, pausing for a moment.

"If only we had Command Seals. This is the first time I've wanted such a... restrictive contract with someone so badly. At least... I could come to your side at any time to protect you, and I could also..."

"Rest." Souichirou Kuzuki put away the medicine box, rose calmly, and said, "I'll stand watch for you."

"..." Caster watched Souichirou Kuzuki walk straight out. A trace